A MAN killed in a road crash in Kenya is to leave a legacy of hope for African youngsters eager to better themselves.

The Brian Patterson Education Trust is being set up by his wife Val and two sons Mark and Carl to provide a permanent memorial to a man who loved the Kenyan people, in addition to bringing hope to students who wish to further their schooling.

Dr Patterson, an engineer, was acting for Brunner Mond when he was involved in the accident last Sunday.

Mourners attending the funeral at Hartford Parish Church on Monday are being invited to make a donation to the trust instead of sending flowers.

Mark Chitty, a friend of Dr Patterson's and the director of corporate affairs for Brunner Mond, said: 'There is a state education system in Kenya but it is quite rudimentary, and Brian personally sponsored the education of several youngsters who wanted to progress further, though he never made a fuss about it.

'The trust fund is being set up in his memory to provide sponsorship for Kenyan children who want to develop their education and make the best of their abilities.

'It will be a wonderful way to keep his memory alive and also provide support to something that he so strongly believed in.'

Dr Patterson, a senior member of Brunner Mond's executive management team, was working as project manager in Kenya at the firm's major new investment in Magadi Soda.

It was his second stint at the site. In the 1980s he had spent three years there with his family, and developed a great love and respect for the Kenyan people.

Mr Chitty added: 'He didn't just do his job, he also did a tremendous amount of work to improve life for the local community.

'He helped provide facilities for the local churches, he tried to make sure that the sanitation and health facilities were good and he also did a lot to help the famine relief work in the 1980s.'

As a further tribute to his memory, a park which he helped to create in the township is to be christened Patterson Park in his memory.

Dr Patterson was equally popular in the Northwich community. He had a long association with Winnington Park Rugby Club as player, team captain and, more recently, as chief executive. His two sons are also players.

Hundreds of people are expected to attend the funeral, which starts at noon at Hartford Parish Church, in the village where the family lived for many years before moving to Acton Bridge.